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BELHAVEN — The town government announced on Monday that Town Hall will close to the public indefinitely on Wednesday, Dec. 9, as a “safety precaution” due to Beaufort County’s rising COVID-19 metrics.

Town utilities customers will still be able to pay bills using Belhaven’s 24-hour automated phone system, 252-943-3055 ext. 214, or by using the drop box at Town Hall. Cash payments will not be accepted in the drop box.

Mayor Ricky Credle said the timeline on when Town Hall will reopen to the public depends on trends in the county’s COVID-19 numbers.

Beaufort County’s coronavirus metrics have been trending in the same upward direction as the state’s metrics recently. Last Wednesday the county reported 46 new cases of COVID-19, its second-highest daily case count ever.

Credle said Belhaven will still proceed with its Christmas parade, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday. Side attractions such as Santa’s Village have been removed from this year’s parade in order to promote social distancing.